Humidifying device



Aug. 25, 1925. 1,551,511

J. F. FUTCHER HUMIDIFYING DEVICE File Feb' 8; 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J3), F 140M Aug. 25; 1925. 5 1,551,511

- J; F. FUTCHER HUMIDIFYING DEVI CE Filed Feb. 8, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 25, 19 25.

- UNITED 'sr-A'ras rumors, ASSIGNOB or cnrcaeo, rumors.

Joint r. ru'rcnnn', or cmcaeo,

or ONE-HALF ro J. roannnwns,

'HUMIDIFYING DEVICE;

To all whom it my camera:

'Be it known th'atI, JOHN F. Furonnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Humidifyilig Devices, of which tion. a

My invention belongs to that general class of devices 'known as humidifiers, and relates particularly to an apparatus for supplying water vapor. to an internal combustion-engine or the "ilike; It also relates to a device for removing vapors from the crank case of the engine, washing and purifying the same and returning them to the engine to be used for power purposes.

The invention has among its objects the production of a device of the kind described that is simple, compact, durable, reliable, eflicient and satisfactory for. use Wherever found applicablei 'It has particularly as an object the production of a device of the the following is a specificakind described which will uniformly supply moisture to the ingoing charge of the engine under all weather.v conditions, and which will make the engine more eflicient, securing increased power; flexibility and picks Y up, and avoid the forming and accumulation of carbon inthe engine cylinder. It also has as an object the production of a device of the kind described which, will remove vapors from the crank case of the engine, thereby purifying the lubricating oil and utilizing the products drawn ofi, which would otherwise be wasted, for' further power purposes.

Many other 7 objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious toxthose skilled in theart from the disclosures herein given.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and discribed,

and. more particularly pointed out in the claims. X V

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding v i I 4 i I I Fig. 1 is asectional view through my- =improved apparatus, a porki o'n of the parts te r Fig. 2 is a sectional viewtaken substantially on theli ne 2-2 'of Fig. 1

i Appligation filed February 8, 1922. Serial No. 535,109.

. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the'line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 1;

- Fig. 5 is a view in elevation, portions being shown in section, illustrating the installation of the de'vice; and

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the receptacle forming a part of the apparatus.

Referring to the drawings,-in which the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown, there is provided a container or receptacle of the desired size, shape and material, and constructed of the preferred numberof parts. As illustrated, this consists-of a casing part 1, rovided with a bottom 2 and closure 3, t eclosure being preferably constructed so that it may be removed, as found desirable. The closure when made removable may besecured in place in any suitable'manner.

it is. with a tight leakproof joint and with the part 1 and bottom 2 forms substantially a unitary structure, itbeing .understood that any equivalent construction may be adopted other than that shown. 1

Referrin particularly to Fi 1, part 1 is provided with a threaded ange 4, arranged to, cooperate with the internallythreaded ring or coupling 5; vconstructed to engage with the flange 6 on part 3, this As; shown it is removable, but when secured in place providing a union. Packing material or v 1 gasket 7 may be arranged between the parts if desired. .-With this construction, by loosening the ring 5, the closure 3 may be conveniently lifted oif and removed, permitting to the interior of the device for inspection, cleaning, or replace: ment of the parts. a V

Within the casing I prefer to arrange one or more partitions 8 and 9, which may be of the desired size and shape, and of suitable material for the purpose. As shown, these are constructed in the form of plates pro- 'vided with openings orapertures 13 there through. These plates may be supported and maintained in the casing in anysuitable manner. In the apparatus illustrated I have shown the part 1 beaded or'flanged,

as at 'IO, for the support of the plate 9, while the plate 8 may be supported on the top edge of. the part 1, the part 3 being beaded or flanged as at 12, so as to securely lock the same in place. I I have showna tube llarran ed between and connecting the two parts, 1t.being understood that this may be secured to one or both, as desired, the same servin to provide a valve stem ide as hereina r-described. -However, I ave found that the tube may be omitted, referred, as it is not strictly essential. etween the plates I prefer to arrange'a sponge 14, or any equivalent porous or cellular material which may be satisfactory for the purpose. Projecting into the casing at any suitable pointis a'pi e or conduit 15,

which in the construction s own is extended through the top and'provided with an offset portion 16 adjacent the bottom, the pipe 15 in the construction shown being connectthe desired type, or its equivalent. for the purpose. Asjshown, valve 19 is automatically' operable to maintain the desired the valve stem amount of fluid in the apparatus, or to prevent any excessive amount. Referring particularly to Fig. 1, the valve is mounted on a valve stem 20, which carries a float 21, rojecting through and bemg guided by t e tubular sleeve 11. If it -is desired to arrange the valve so-that it may be controlled from the exterior of the device so as to permit draining the same, a

, very convenient construction "is a pin or stem 22 arranged so that it projects to the exterior of the device and may be conveniently manually manipulated.

If desired, a bafile- 23 may be arrangedin the casing below the. float, the samebeing provided with apertures therethrough. The

afile or splash plate tends to prevent the s lashing of the contained liquid and acciental raising of the float when driving over rough roads where. the device is applied to an automobile or other vehi le.

The apparatus shown is connected to the engme, generally at some point between the v carburetor and' the intake ports or intake manifold. A simple and convenient con-' structlon is a gasket or tubular member'24,

arranged to be secured in lace by the bolts or screws '25, which may a o serve to secure the carburetor to the manifold. .flT-he gasket is provided with a tubular bore 2'6, and the pipe 1" connected thereto so as to communi- -.cate with the interior. The gasket. as. illus-', trated 'is provided with a removable side part 27 ,secured'in place by screws 28 or the like so that the connection may be removed without removing all of the gasket 24. An additional port, which is shown closed with a plug 29, may be provided, if desired. If desired, a. valve 30 (see "Fig. 5), of-suitable design may be arranged between the apparatus and the gasket. I have shown the re.- celptacle provided with an inlet at the top w ich is normally closed or sealed by a cap or closure 33, the inlet affording a convenient' inlet for the adding of water, or other fluid if the device is not connected to the radiator or other source of moisture. In the figures, I haveshown an additional pipe 34 projecting into the casing, and this is connected withthe crank case of the engine, as will be hereinafter described. I

Referring particularly to Fig. 5, the pipe 15 is shown operatively connected with a part of the cooling system of the engine, which constitu-tes'a source of moisture sup: ply. This pipe may be connected-to the cooling system in any desired manner and at any desired or suitable point. In the arrangementillustrated, the pipe 35 is con nected to the tank part 36 forming part of the radiator in many well-known constructions and to which water is admitted from the engine through the intake pipe or hose 37. Most radiators are provided with a top tank or container which receives the water from the engine and distributes it to the Generally I presuitablemanner, as for example by a nut 39 and guide 40, together'with suitable gas- I kets (not illustrated). A valve 141 may be installed, as -shown,-if so desired. In the figure referred to I have shown the pipe 34 communicating with the pipe 41,,42, ex-

tended to the crank case. This may be con-' nected with the breather pipe 43, or the crank caseinlany other oreqmvalent if desired;

viaed with the valve arm 50 and connected with an operating or controlling rod 51.

automobile may drivers position. The operation of the device may be briefly described as follows:

Assuming that the connected up as shown, as the engine-is opemed there is a suction created in the pipe 17,'thereby creating a partial vacuum .111 180 the receptacle in which normallythere 'is a manner. The valve44 may also be installed, I

In Fig. 5 I have shown the valve 30 proi2 5 device-is installed and I a supply of water or the like. Thevapor is drawn from the radiator through the pipe 15 because of this partial vacuum, and the same bubbles up through the water in the apparatus and passes up through the partitions 8 and 9 through the sponge 14, or the equivalent, when such is used and is drawn into the engine, thereby improving the running thereof. The advantage of having moist vapor in the ingoing charge is well known and needs no detailed description nor pointing out of advantages. The cellular body or sponge 14 has a tendency to accumulate moisture and become moist and tends to maintain a uniform saturation of the vapor so that substantially the same density of vapor is always provided for and supplied to the engine. If there is no water in the receptacle to start with, it may accumulate therein, but when the same reaches-a predetermined level, or in case of too much water coming over the pipe 18, the flow will automatically operate thefloat and thus control the valve 19, permitting the discharge of the excess water. This also provides that, in the case of considerable condensation in the device, the efficiency'is not impaired, nor is water in an excessive amount carried into the engine. In case of cold weather, or at other times, it is desired to drain the apparatus, the valve may be manually opened by means of the stem portion 22. If there are any gases- -or vapors in the crank case in the engine,

these will be drawn off through the pipes referred to and through pipe 34 intothe.

receptacle. In this connection it will be noted thatthe vapors in the pipe arranged as shown will also pass or bubble up through the-wateror fluid, and all dust or dirt removed. In other words, the same will be thoroughly cooled, washed and purified. The device in this case may be drained from time to time so that the contained fluid is kept clean.

limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and-described, or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1, In a device of the kind described and While I have mentioned water, obviously any other fluid suitable may be employed or used in conjunc-v in combination, a chambered receptacle adapted to contain a quantity of liquid, and having a port adapted to communicate with the intake of an engine, absorbent means in said receptacle above the level of said liquid and below said port for diffusing any vapors passed therethrough, and a conduit communicating with a sourceof vapor sup ply and opening into said receptacle, whereby said vapors will pass through said diffusing means and-out through said port.

'2. In a device of the-kind described and in combination with the radiator crank case and intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, a chambered receptacle adapted to contain a quantity of liquid, and having a port adapted to communicate with said intake',means across said receptacle between said port and above the level of said liquid for saturating and diffusing any vapors passed therethrough, a conduit conducting water vapors from the radiator system of the engine into said body of water in said receptacle, and a second conduit conducting hydro-carbon vapors from the crank case of the engine to said body of water in said receptacle, whereby said vapors conducted to said body of water will pass therethrough, and thence pass through said diffusing means and out through said port.

3. The method of humidifying the charge delivered t the intake of an internal combustion 7 engine, comprising conducting water and hydro-carbon vapors from separate sources of supply, successively through a body of water and a moisture-saturated said members together at said telescoping ends, inturned beads formed on each of said members intermediate the ends of the easing, apertured plates adapted to be arranged across said casing and to engage against said beads to prevent displacement of said plates, absorbent material in said .casing between said apertured plates, means for introducing water vapor into the bottom of said casing whereby it may diflt'use upwardly through said absorbent material, and an outlet at the upper end of said chamber and adapted to communicate with the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. w

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

JOHN F. FUTCHE-R.

Ill 

